Person Information
[Du Plooy, R.M., Lt]
Details of the Person
Person
Number		 2130
Surname Du Plooy  (27) Initals R.M. Views 688
Date 1951-07-23 (2) Date of Birth 1922-06-30 Corps SAAF
Year 1951 (24) Place Wichon-ni
Full Names Roelof Michiel Military
Number		 P1/23684 Death Age 29 (29)
Cause Detail
Cemetery Grave
War KOREA Korea
Unit 2Sqn (37)
2 Squadron, SAAF
Rank
1st Lieutenant
Rank Lt (923)
Description 1st Lieutenant
Address LT, Lieutenant
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Stories
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Story
T/Capt F.M. Bekker, together with Lt R.M. du Plooy, and 2Lts M.I.B. Halley and D.A.R Green, was tasked to conduct a weather reconnaissance of the West Coast of North Korea. They proceeded up the Han Gang River at about 1500 feet, turning east when they reached the river mouth. In deteriorating weather they successfully attacked a bridge across the Imjin-Gan River, completely destroying it. In the course of their attack, they glided down from 1800 feet to 50 feet, and while passing over a hill at low altitude, T/Capt Bekker's aircraft was hit by ground fire. It immediately burst into flames and began to break up, and although he was able to jettison his canopy, he failed to bale out before the aircraft crashed and was destroyed. 2Lt Halley went down to investigate the crash site, and was in turn shot down. He managed to climb to a safe altitude and bale out, and on landing he waved to his two remaining comrades. One of these, Lt du Plooy, remained low to cover 2Lt Halley and keep enemy troops away from him, while 2Lt Green climbed for altitude and called for a rescue helicopter to pick up the stranded pilot. This arrived too late however, and despite Lt du Plooy's best attempts to keep the enemy troops at bay, he had to report that he had seen them capture 2Lt Halley. Shortly after this, he reported that he too had been hit, and although the wreckage of his aircraft was found, he was never heard of again. For his gallantry in sacrificing himself while attempting to save a fellow pilot, Lt R.M. du Plooy was posthumously awarded the United States Silver Star, the highest decoration available to a member of a foreign ally operating under American control. 2Lt Halley spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the North Koreans, suffering such privations that following his repatriation, he died in a Durban hospital on 15 August 1954, aged only 24. Only 2Lt Green returned to base safely. This proved to be the worst casualties suffered in a single mission by 2 Squadron throughout the Korean War.
Added By Email Address Date Added Gravatar
2001-06-19 05:10:44 Gravatar Image
Story
Lt Roelof Michiel du Plooy was awarded "The Silver Star of America" award posthumously for a deed of bravery he committed in action while blowing up a bridge in North Korea. He protected a parachuter on the ground by firing at the enemy from his plane for appoximately three quarters of an hour. His plane was never recovered and he was declared missing in action. The medal was awarded to his widow Brigit afterwards.
Added By Email Address Date Added Gravatar
Erina du Plooy Erina.Duplooy@nwu.ac.za 2007-04-30 12:05:50 Gravatar Image
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